Hun, PDS lead the charge for area preps
It should be another great year for the prep school ice hockey teams in the county as Hun looks ready to challenge again for a Mercer County Tournament title, Princeton Day is much improved and should be in both the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League and state title chase.
Lawrenceville will host the 71st Annual Lawrenceville Tournament, which is one of the most prestigious in the nation. The Big Red look to be improved.
Pennington has Tom Horsley and Brendan Bendorf as cocoaches and the Red Raiders look to rely on a nice mix of veterans and newcomers to contend all winter.
Here is a look at each prep team: Hun
Coach: Ian McNally (8th year) Assistant Coaches: Jim Nehlig, Drew Bennett, Auriana Johnson
Last Year: 13-8-1, MCT Champions, CitiField game
Roster: Chris Brake (Jr., F), Ed Evaldi (Jr., D), Brian Nelson (Sr., F), Zachary Kandel (So.,
D), Hayden Watson (Jr., D), Nicholas Dimatos (So., D), Zachary Wellman (So., F), Matt Argentina (So., F), Felix Turcotte (Jr., F), Maxwell Schmuckler (So., D), Alexis Landry (Jr., D), Brendan Mrotchek (Sr., F), James McCall (Sr., F), Paul Argiriou (Sr., F), Nicholas Ramsey (Sr., F), Aidan McDowell (Sr., D), Jack Borek (Fr., GK), Jack Carney (Sr., GK), Cole Jackson (Jr., GK).
Outlook: The Raiders are ready to make another defense of their county championship and are looking to do a little more in the MAHL as well as the state tournament. They return a lot of veterans and Argentina gives them a good start on a potent attack.
Lawrenceville
Coach: Keith Dupree (2nd year) Assistant Coaches: Sam Kosoff, Sunho Park
Last Year: 6-21-1
Roster: Lachlan Getzen(Jr., D), Kaz Matsou (Jr., D), Matt Manahan (Jr., F), Nikita Nesterenko (Jr., F), Trey Croddick (Jr., F), David Parker (Sr., D), T.J. Semptimphelter (Jr., GK), Mike Rocco (Jr., F), Peter Poulianas (So., D).
Outlook: The Big Red will look to use the experience gained last season to once again get back on the winning track. They return a veteran group and will be ready to make a run in the heralded Lawrenceville Tournament and the MAHL.
Pennington
Co-Coaches: Tom Horsley (1st year) and Brendan Bendorf (1st year)
Last Year: 7-8-2
Roster: Matt Reilly (Sr, D), Cason De La Houssaye (Fr., F), Alejo Woelper (Fr., F), Amanda Kenrick (Sr, F), Andrew Stournaras (Fr., F), Sean Brennan (So., F), Heather Holley (Sr., F), Connor McAlister (So., F), Malcolm McGill (Jr, D), Logan Harris (Sr, D), Alex Boczniewicz (Sr., F), Brian Corcoran (Sr., F), James Deng (Fr. D), Deon Kraft (Jr., F), Bill Bernal (So., GK), Collin Penders (Fr., GK).
Outlook: The Red Raiders have a nice nucleus returning and seem primed to make a run at the Independent League title. There is solid senior leadership on both sides of the ice and Pennington will be a team that just might surprise a few teams.
Princeton Day
Coach: Scott Bertoli (12th year)
Assistant Coaches: Adam Shemansky, Perry Roscioli, George Bosak.
Last Year: 18-6-1, MAHL Finalists
Roster: Luke Antonacci (So., F), Chris Babecki (Fr., F), Chip Hamlett (Sr. D), Drew McConaughy (So., F), Alex Allen (Jr., F), Justin Sherman (Jr., D), Stephan Gorelenkov (Jr., F), Ty Eastman (Sr., F), Aiden York (Sr., D), Chris Cecila (Jr., D), Kevin Flahive (Sr., F), Birch Gorman (So., D), Gibson Linnehan (So., F), Coby Auslander (Sr., F), David Sherman (So., F), Trevor Mackles (Fr., D), David Lee (So., GK), Jeremy Siegel (Jr., GK).
Outlook: The Panthers return several key players led by captains, Auslander, Eastman and Hamlett and several newcomers will help provide some offense. The defense should be solid, and Siegel and Lee will see time in the goal.